You must be the change you wish to see in the world. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

That statement is becoming commonplace, turning into a cliché, which is unfortunate because it is quite significant. It is bordering on becoming a platitude in alternative circles. I have heard it uttered many times, yet rarely focused on the deeper meaning.

A conversation I had with friends earlier this week has been simmering on the back burner of my mind and has forced me to take a closer look at Ghandi's words. Two friends of mine attended a seminar sponsored by the state extension office about encouraging people to buy local. I had wanted to attend it as well, but considering I was hosting a potluck and had a house full of people, I thought it might be bad form. When my friends got back (their children and husbands were at the potluck), we were discussing the forum.

The "buy local" movement falls into catch-22 situations all too often. The producers of local goods struggle to find the consumers who want to purchase these goods. The consumers who would like to purchase local goods do not know how to connect with the producers. Venues like farmers markets attempt to bring the two together. Fledgling markets fail too often. Why? In my opinion, it is because people fail to be the change they wish to see in the world. The producer waits sign up for the market until s/he can see how many others are participating. The result is a market with only a few pioneers brave enough to forge the way. Consumers look at the market and see only six or eight booths. They decide not to bother stopping because they assume they cannot obtain the goods they desire.

This movement can only succeed when both the producer of the local goods and the consumer of the local goods become the change they wish to see in the world. They must participate in the purchasing cycle during the infancy of local markets otherwise the local markets will not survive to become large, thriving venues.

This is why I make it a point to shop my local markets. I might go looking for beets and spinach, but walk home with leeks and peppers. It is okay. I talk with each vendor and request the beets and spinach. If they do not have any, perhaps they have some at home and will bring them next week or plant them next year because they know there is a demand. I buy the peppers and leeks because it is important to support the vendors today so that they will be back next week, next month, next year. I can put turn the leeks into soup and chop the peppers, putting both into the freezer for the dead of winter when I know they will taste so good. Others may see me shopping and decide to stop, thinking that perhaps shopping the small market is worth their while too. More money gets spent, the vendors bring more goods and encourage other producers to participate, the market grows and we miraculously have thriving "buy local" initiative.

I am not egotistical enough to think that I can singlehandedly create a successful local market, but I strongly believe that I must do my part. I must become the change I wish to see in the world. If I do not do my part, I lose the right to complain about the lack of local goods, the slim pickings at the local markets.

This is why I shop local. I might settle for something that was not what I intended to purchase, but while shopping I talk with the shopkeepers and producers of local goods, sowing seeds for the future.

Living locally is one of the changes I wish to see in the world. I will continue to do my part to make it possible. It matters.